News

Itasca, IL — Amid ongoing pandemic safety concerns, the National Safety Council will host its annual flagship event, NSC Safety Congress & Expo, as a virtual event March 1-5.

Washington — Does OSHA consider cloth facial coverings equal to personal protective equipment? The agency addresses the question in a new addition to its series of frequently asked questions on protecting workers from exposure to the coronavirus.

Arlington, VA — A recently proposed rule from the Mine Safety and Health Administration would revise testing, evaluation and approval regulations for mine equipment and accessories powered by electric motors intended for use in environments with gases.

Washington — OSHA is adding the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health to its regulations on advisory committees.

Sacramento, CA – California’s emergency temporary standard requiring employers to protect workers from COVID-19-related hazards is now in effect after being approved Nov. 30 by the state’s Office of Administrative Law.

Washington — Former OSHA administrator David Michaels is among three new members named to President-elect Joe Biden’s Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, Biden’s transition team announced in a Nov. 28 press release.

Washington — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has granted a petition to preempt Washington state’s rules on meals and rest breaks for commercial truck drivers, determining that federal hours-of-service regulations supersede the state’s rules.

Washington — NIOSH has approved – for both personal protection and source control – the first elastomeric half-mask respirator without an exhalation valve.

Menlo Park, CA — Thirty-four percent of employees say they’re more burned out than they were a year ago, according to the results of a recent survey developed by global staffing firm Robert Half.

Emmitsburg, MD — Sixty-two firefighters died while on duty in 2019 – the fewest since the U.S. Fire Administration began tracking such data in 1977, according to an annual report recently released by the agency.